Poraali (2011)

The film’s protagonist Kumaran has to overcome so many hurdles posed by his fellow humans be it his own family or his neighbors. His family is after him for the property bequeathed to him and they don’t allow him to prosper in life. They don’t give him a proper education and brand him a lunatic. He roams around with his friend doing nothing and it takes some well-wishers to tell him the truth behind his mother and his existence. But, he is sent to an asylum when there is actually nothing wrong with him.

He meets another young man there who has periodic fits, and the two elope from there at a point and escape their way to Chennai. They stay with another bachelor Pulikutty who does odd jobs for a living. Their neighborhood is full of weird characters that can hardly be categorized as normal. They slowly make it big in Chennai thanks to Kumaran’s pro-active and helpful ways. His neighbor falls for him after the initial frictions and Kumaran also reluctantly accepts.

Kumaran also helps one of his colleagues at the petrol pump with her domestic problems. Just when everything is fine, his past comes back to haunt him. His relatives are after him again for the property deal. But, Kumaran overcomes all the odds and gives it back to them.  He decides that running isn’t going to help and striking back is the only option.

Review

• Sasikumar’s manic rage, rugged looks and flowing hair fit this role perfectly. He keeps running like a possessed man for most of the movie.
• Allari Naresh, Ganja Karuppu and co. provide some funny moments with their antics. They do test the patience at times too.
• The ‘rolling the tongue out’ routine becomes tiresome beyond a point.
• The songs and BG score are lackluster to say the least
• The theme of the movie is good, of man being a social animal who tries to outwit his fellow men at any given time.
• The ladies in the movie have small yet significant parts. They are not the senseless glam dolls. They have honor and stand by their men at all times. Vasundhara leads the honors.
• That small episode about mentally affected people is touching and makes an impact. Jayaprakash shines in a small cameo.

VERDICT

A good premise that doesn’t hit the bulls-eye. The typical Sasikumar-Samuthirakani brand of rugged and raw cinema.